Gianni Downs

Scenic Designer

 
 
 

TEL: 412.779.7498

EMAIL: giannidowns@gmail.com

Gianni | Scenic Designer

 

Gianni’s work in Scenic Design has been nationally recognized with a Kevin Kline Award for In the Next Room, or the vibrator play at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, two Kevin Kline nominations for Crime and Punishment and The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and an Irene Ryan nomination for his design for The Dazzle at Stoneham Theatre. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Gianni is currently the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Theatre Department at the University of Pittsburgh Department and a Lecturer in Scenic Design and Scenic Art.  His work has has been seen by audiences regionally at companies like City Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, PICT Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Primestage Theatre, Theatre Squared, Stoneham Theatre, as well as many others . Gianni received his MFA from Brandeis University, and has had the pleasure of being an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Westminster College, a Special Faculty Member in Scenic Design at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, a Visiting Professor of Lighting Design at the University of Pittsburgh, and an adjunct faculty member at Point Park University.

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Gianni is a freelance scenic designer based in Pittsburgh. Scroll down to view his resume and portfolio. 

ABOUT ME

RESUME

Education:

M.F.A. Scenic Design, Brandeis University, May 2003

B.S. Theatre Arts with a Fine Art minor, University of New Hampshire, May 1998

 

Academic Experience:
The University of Pittsburgh:

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Theatre Arts Department, September 2014-present

Lecturer in Scenic Design and Scene Painting, September 2013-present

Courses taught and developed:

Scene Design 1, Introduction to Theatre Design, Theatre Special Topics in Design: Computer Applications, Theatre Special Topics in Design: Introduction to Media Design for Performance

Visiting Lecturer of Lighting Design in the Theatre Department, September 2004- May 2006

Courses: Introduction to Lighting Design, Introduction to Stagecraft,

Introduction to Theatre Design, Theatre Production

Westminster College

Assistant Professor of Theatre, August 2009-May 2011

Courses: Introduction to Theatre, Theatrical Production, Theatre Practicum, and

Basic Theatrical Design

Carnegie Mellon University:

Special Faculty in the School of Drama, September 2006-May 2009

Courses: History of Architecture and Décor, Scene Design 1B, Business Practices for Designers, Computer Applications: Dreamweaver, 3D Scene Design Skills,

Introduction to Scene Design, Basic Design, Studiocraft 1, Studiocraft 2, and

Hand Drafting

Point Park University:

Adjunct Faculty in Scene Design, Fall Semester 2004

Course: Scene Design 1

 

Awards and Nominations:

2019 Recipient of the University of Pittsburgh's Provost's Personal Education Grant

2019 Nomination for the St. Louis Theatre Circle's Award for Best Set Design for The Humans

2018 Recipient of the Innovation in Education Award through the University of Pittsburgh

2017 Tina and David Bellet Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Pittsburgh

2017 Nominated for the Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize for Excellence in Advising Award

2015 Recipient of the Innovation in Education Award through the University of Pittsburgh, funding of $19,557 for instructional use

2012 Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of In the Next Room; or the vibrator play

2012 Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Best Play (3 way tie): Chekhov Festival

2011 Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Best Play(s): House and Garden

2010 River Front Times Best Set Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of Crime and Punishment

2010 Kevin Kline Nomination for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of Crime and Punishment

2009 Kevin Kline Nomination for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore

2005 Nomination for the Independent Reviewers of New England’s Award for Excellence in Scenic Design for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Dazzle

 

Production Experience:

Download my current resume here.

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